Whispers of a Lost Love

6

As the sun slowly disappeared behind the rows of buildings, the last rays of the afternoon filtered into Yên Pha's office. Although the workload at the factory remained unfinished, she felt a sense of relief, knowing she could temporarily set everything aside. Rising from her chair, she glanced over the last of the documents and gently closed the folder on her desk.

Trí Tuấn entered, his sharp eyes immediately noticing the fading tension on Yên Pha's face.

"All done, Miss?" he asked in a calm voice, a hint of concern flickering in his eyes.

Yên Pha nodded.

"It's all done. Thank you for taking care of everything," she replied, standing up and reaching for her coat before heading outside.

Trí Tuấn walked ahead to prepare the car. Outside, the air had grown chilly, signaling the onset of night. When Yên Pha stepped out, the car was already waiting. Her personal driver, Uncle Tứ, stood by the car door. He bowed slightly as he saw her approach and opened the door. However, he couldn't help but notice her weary expression, her eyes carrying a quiet sadness that contrasted sharply with her usual confident demeanor.

Uncle Tứ asked gently, his voice filled with familial concern:

"Third Miss, you don't look well today. Should I take you to the doctor?"

Yên Pha smiled faintly, her eyes narrowing as she shook her head.

"No need, Uncle. Thank you for your concern. It's just the workload, that's all," she reassured him. "Just drive carefully. I'll be fine."

Uncle Tứ said no more, simply nodding as he closed the door behind her. Climbing into the driver's seat, he started the car, and the engine hummed softly in the quiet evening air.

Inside the car, Trí Tuấn sat across from Yên Pha, pulling out a notebook to discuss work.

"Miss, regarding this afternoon's meeting, I've confirmed with the French partners—they'll meet with us next week to finalize the distribution contract. Also, we need to prepare some documents related to silk export regulations for the Indochina markets," he reported, his focus unwavering as he jotted down notes.

Yên Pha listened in silence, her fingers idly tracing a button on her coat. Though her mind was weighed down by thoughts of family and the heavy responsibilities she bore, she missed none of the details in his report.

"Tuấn, arrange a press meeting for me before we sign the contract," she said, her voice firm yet tinged with weariness. "I want them to write some articles to kick off a strong promotional campaign for Thịnh Phát silk as it enters new markets."

"Understood. I'll handle it," Trí Tuấn replied promptly, his calm and decisive tone reflecting his dedication.

Though not a man of many words, he always understood Yên Pha's needs and responded without hesitation. His steady gaze conveyed trust and commitment, as if ready to help her achieve her goals no matter the obstacles.

Yên Pha leaned back in her seat, exhaling softly. Despite her efforts to remain strong, the fatigue creeping into every fiber of her being was undeniable. She had to maintain the image of an unyielding leader, yet few knew of the silent battles she fought behind the scenes. Each decision she made, no matter how small, carried enormous weight, impacting not only her career but also her family's future. She had grown accustomed to this burden, though she sometimes wondered if she had lost pieces of herself along the way.

"Once we're home, leave the rest of the work for tomorrow," she said softly but firmly. "I don't want to hear more tonight."

Trí Tuấn simply nodded, noting her words in his notebook without protest. The atmosphere in the car grew quiet, the hum of the engine providing a steady rhythm as the vehicle glided through the evening streets.